(104.3 The Score) The main storyline surrounding the Bears these days involves where they'll build a new stadium. The team owns 326 acres of property in suburban Arlington Heights while also engaging in conversations with the state of Indiana to potentially construct a stadium in Hammond.
On the field, the Bears already have a foundation in place. They just enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 campaign, going 11-6 to win the NFC North before securing the team’s first playoff win in 15 years. Head coach Ben Johnson led a strong turnaround in his first year on the job.
The Bears have the pieces in place for a bright future – to “take the North and never give it back,” as general manager Ryan Poles declared was the goal when he was hired four years ago. But for the Bears to stay on top of the NFC North and create sustained success, this is an important offseason.
The NFL Combine begins this week in Indianapolis, marking a key early point in the offseason. Here are five (non-stadium) storylines to follow as the Bears really get to work.
Will Ryan Poles take a big swing?
In 2018, the Bears recognized a potential opportunity to compete for a championship. They attempted to capitalize on their window opening by making a significant trade for superstar pass rusher Khalil Mack just prior to the start of the regular season.
Mack was a catalyst for the Bears’ success that season, making a big impact for an NFC North-winning team. The cost for acquiring Mack was two first-round draft picks and a lucrative contract paid out to him.
One of Poles' first moves after taking over the Bears in 2022 was trading Mack to the Chargers, setting the course for Chicago's rebuild. He had inherited an aging roster that wasn't competing for a championship but was in a salary cap crunch.
Poles understands that major swings bring with them risk. As the Bears look to bolster their pass rush, there could be temptation to pursue Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby or Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett should either become available on the trade market.
“You see it across the league all the time, (teams) panic and you want to do crazy things that everybody else wants you to do, it leads you to some situations you can't get out of,” Poles said back in January. “So, we want to stay flexible, we want to stay open-minded, we want to stay committed to building this team the right way because I think that's the best way to sustain success.”
While Poles could change his tune or the market dynamics could change, those comments didn't sound like a lead football executive who was ready to take such a big risk in a trade. Poles seems to understand the Bears aren't just one player away from winning the Super Bowl.
The Bears are probably better suited adding several good players instead of one great one if such a choice presents itself. That’s especially the case on their defensive line, which is a top priority this offseason.
The Super Bowl champion Seahawks won the title in large part due to their dominant defensive front. Seattle was led by three players who recorded seven sacks. A year earlier, the Eagles won the Super Bowl with their leader in sacks recording eight.
That isn't to say that Crosby and Garrett couldn’t be superstars on a Super Bowl run, but it does illustrate how defensive line depth can make a huge impact.
Poles is in tune with that idea as he enters an offseason filled with temptation. He seems to be setting the Bears up to have a prudent, practical offseason.
Could DJ Moore be on the move?
The NFL's new league year begins March 11. Before then, the Bears will need to position themselves under the salary cap.
One possibility in play to accomplish that is to trade receiver DJ Moore, who has four years remaining on a contract worth more than $100 million. Moore carries a $28.5-million cap hit in each of the next three seasons.
The Bears haven’t actively shopped Moore on the trade market yet. Moore is valued by the Bears. Despite his drop in production in Johnson's first season in Chicago, Moore didn't complain and the team succeeded.
Johnson values having playmakers all over his offense. He doesn’t view Moore as a No. 1 or No. 2 option in his offense as much as he views him as a dynamic weapon to get the football when the matchup calls for it.
Moore was at the center of the conversation following the Bears' season-ending loss to the Rams in the divisional round. He failed to get on the same page with quarterback Caleb Williams on Chicago's final offensive play in overtime, leading to Williams' fateful interception. It illustrated the struggle that Moore and Williams have had in forming a rapport over two seasons together.
Criticism of that play is fair. Criticism of Moore’s effort is out of line. Moore battled through various ailments to play every game for the Bears this past season.
The Bears aren’t frustrated with Moore, and they aren’t looking to trade him. But if another team calls with an offer for Poles, he needs to listen.
What’s the plan at left tackle?
In the Bears’ loss to the Rams in the divisional round, they lined up future Hall of Fame left guard Joe Thuney one slot over at left tackle. It marked their fourth different starting left tackle of season, along with Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet and Ozzy Trapilo.
The Bears haven’t solidified their left tackle position for the future. Their offensive line is in a great place with the other four starting spots set, but who will protect Williams' blind side moving forward?
Trapilo faces a long road back from a knee injury and will likely miss most of the 2026 season. Jones is set to be an unrestricted free agent, and it seems unlikely that he'll return to Chicago. Benedet remains under contract and is a serviceable option, but the Bears removed him from a starting role this past season.
There are a number of quality free agents set to hit the open market, including Rasheed Walker and Cam Robinson. But the Bears may be better served waiting until the No. 25 overall pick in the NFL Draft, which has a strong crop of options.
A short-term option at left tackle isn’t what the Bears are looking for. They hope to address the position for many years to come.
Swift change at running back?
It was at the NFL Combine a year ago that Johnson put his stamp of approval on Bears running back D’Andre Swift. That wasn’t fully expected at the time.
Swift had a strong second season with the Bears, running for a career-best 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns. Still, it remains to be seen if he'll be back in Chicago for 2026.
The Bears can create $7 million in salary cap savings if they cut Swift loose ahead of his final year under contract, but there's no denying that would be a loss. Swift was the Bears' most reliable playmaker in 2025, and Johnson has confidence in him.
It doesn't seem likely that the Bears will part ways with Swift.
Safety dance
Both of the Bears’ starting safeties, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, are set to become free agents in March. It creates a quandary for the secondary.
Byard, 32, is coming off an All-Pro campaign in which he led the NFL with seven interceptions. He’s a beloved leader inside Halas Hall and was one of the most pivotal players on the team. Brisker, 26, played his first full 17-game season after three injury-plagued years. He was a force against the run for Chicago's defense.
Can the Bears forecast with confidence that Byard will have more Pro Bowl-caliber seasons ahead of him? If so, he would be worth the investment – but there will be other teams interested. Meanwhile, can the Bears rely on Brisker to stay healthy? If not, it might be time to part ways with him.
The Bears have another key free agent in Pro Bowl cornerback Nahshon Wright, who enjoyed a breakout 2025 season. They have many intriguing decisions in their secondary ahead of them.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for TheScoreChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.